As the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence are more commonly baked into products we buy, more and more companies are “spying” on their customers. The companies use the data to learn more about customers and sometimes to provide a more personalized user experience. Not everyone likes this idea as you can see in the video below. Watch the video and read the article, “ When Your Stuff Spies on You ” (Fortune, May 23, 2017), to learn about how some unhappy customers are fighting back. Is this unethical? What are the responsibilities of companies that spy on customers through their products? Most “inform” customers about [Continue Reading …]

While chapter 19 is mostly about businesses acting ethically and socially responsible, a section at the end of the chapter discusses how societies “Need socially responsible consumers.” This little article/game describes the challenges facing consumers pointing out that “ Ethical Shopping is Even Harder Than You Thought ” (Bloomberg Businessweek, December 26, 2016 – January 8, 2017). Click through the article/game and re-read the section of the text “Need socially responsible consumers.” Is it fair to expect consumers to jump through so many hoops to be socially responsible? What role should government play in regulating industries so that we all behave more ethically? Explain and justify your [Continue Reading …]

I have a soft spot in my heart for Fargreen. The startup that emerged from the Colorado State University Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise MBA program (full disclosure, Colorado State is my employer and I served for many years on the advisory board for this program). I also know Fargreen’s founder, Trang Tran. She developed a great idea to help Vietnamese farmers while also lowering carbon emissions. What is not to like? After winning several business plan competitions, Trang is now moving her business forward. This brandchannel article “ Yale on Purpose-Driven Startups: Fargreen — Going Far By Going Green ” (May 2, 2016) is one in a series with Yale MBA students. Read the article about Fargreen. Explain how Fargreen ties [Continue Reading …]